The Underground Railroad eBook

John and Lamby Roach had been eating bitter bread
under bondage near Seaford. John was the so-called
property of Joshua O’Bear, “a fractious,
hard-swearing man, and when mad would hit one of his
slaves with anything he could get in his hands.”
John and his companion made the long journey on foot.
The former had been trained to farm labor and the
common drudgery of slave life. Being a man of
thirty-three years of age, with more than ordinary
abilities, he had given the matter of his bondage
considerable thought, and seeing that his master “got
worse the older he got,” together with the fact,
that his wife had recently been sold, he was strongly
stirred to make an effort for Canada. While it
was a fact, that his wife had already been sold, as
above stated, the change of ownership was not to take
place for some months, consequently John “took
out in a hurry.” His wife was the property
of Dr. Shipley, of Seaford, who had occasion to raise
some money for which he gave security in the shape
of this wife and mother. Horsey was the name of
the gentleman from whom it was said that he obtained
the favor; so when the time was up for the payment
to be made, the Dr. was not prepared. Horsey,
therefore, claimed the collateral (the wife) and thus
she had to meet the issue, or make a timely escape
to Canada with her husband. No way but walking
was open to them. Deciding to come this way, they
prosecuted their journey with uncommon perseverance
and success. Both were comforted by strong faith
in God, and believed that He would enable them to
hold out on the road until they should reach friends.

Henry Smallwood saw that he was working every day
for nothing, and thought that he would do better.
He described his master (Washington Bonafont) as a
sort of a rowdy, who drank pretty hard, leaving a very
unfavorable impression on Henry’s mind, as he
felt almost sure such conduct would lead to a sale
at no distant day. So he was cautious enough
to “take the hint in time.” Henry
left in company with nine others; but after being
two days on the journey they were routed and separated
by their pursuers. At this point Henry lost all
trace of the rest. He heard afterwards that two
of them had been captured, but received no further
tidings of the others. Henry was a fine representative
for Canada; a tall, dark, and manly-looking individual,
thirty-six years of age. He left his father and
mother behind.